Fast-track your scientific skills
Are you looking for a career where you can make a difference? Are you creative and enjoy solving problems, enjoy collecting and organising information, and love evaluating evidence, a career in science is likely to suit you. This two-year program offers the perfect pathway to university to gain new skills, switch careers or simply learn more about a science field that interests you where you can gain the necessary skills needed to solve real-life problems related to many branches in science.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Are you looking for a career where you can make a difference? Are you creative and enjoy solving problems, enjoy collecting and organising information, and love evaluating evidence, a career in science is likely to suit you. This two-year program offers the perfect pathway to university to gain new skills, switch careers or simply learn more about a science field that interests you where you can gain the necessary skills needed to solve real-life problems related to many branches in science.
Fast-track your science education and gain guaranteed entry into a degree at USC. This program provides students with an alternative pathway to the Bachelor of Science and related programs at USC.
The program aims to meet the needs of students who may have a limited background in science, thus during your first year you’ll learn core scientific principles such as biology, chemistry and introductory mathematics. You then have the flexibility to select an area to specialise in.
Areas you can specialise in include: Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Food and Biosecurity and Mathematics.
After you complete your Associate Degree, you’ll receive full credit towards and direct entry into the Bachelor of Science or another degree in your chosen field of study. USC also offers Associate Degrees in Business and Medical Laboratory Science.
Minors
Students are required to study 1 minor pathway from either Biology; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Ecology; Food and Biosecurity and Mathematics.
Career opportunities
Depending on major chosen: research and education, industry / government.
Fees
The 2017 Australian Federal Budget proposes changes to fee arrangements for higher education students. If these changes are passed by the Federal Parliament, domestic students who have a completed higher education qualification and are studying Diploma or Associate Degree programs may not be eligible for Commonwealth Support from Semester 1, 2018. We will provide further information on any changes to fees as soon as it is available.
Program structure
Introductory courses (7)
COR109 Occupational Therapy in Mental Health
LFS100 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice I: Doing, Being, Becoming an OT I
SCI102 Foundations of Practice II: Identifying Occupational Therapist Skills in Practice
SCI105 Introduction to Human Development
SCI110 Functional Anatomy
SCI113 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II
PLUS select 1 course from:
MTH100 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
MTH103 Occupational Therapy Innovation
MTH104 Occupational Therapy Reasoning, Research & Evaluation (Project Pathway)
Pathway courses (4)
Select 1 pathway from:
Biology
ENS221 Integrating Theory and Skills into Practice: Doing, Being and Becoming an OT II
ENS222 Professional Issues in Occupational Therapy
LFS252 Occupational Therapy Thesis
LFS261 Occupational Therapy Reasoning, Research & Evaluation (Research Pathway)
Biotechnology
LFS251 Communication and Thought
LFS252 Cell Biology
LFS261 Biodiversity and Ecology
MBT254 Chemistry
Chemistry
CHM202 Science Research Methods
CHM210 Discovering Science
CHM310 Introduction to Mathematics
LFS251 Introduction to Applied Mathematics
Ecology
ENS213 Introductory Calculus
ENS221 Plant Diversity and Ecology
ENS222 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
ENS282 Molecular Biology
Food Biosecurity
LFS261 Microbiology
PUB205 Biochemistry
SCI212 Molecular Biology
SCI303 Microbiology
Mathematics
ANM203 Biotechnology: Research to Product
MTH201 Organic Chemistry
MTH212 Inorganic Chemistry
MTH302 Physical Chemistry
Elective courses (5)
Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Science, Health, Education and Engineering). Of these electives, 2 must be advanced level (200/300 coded).
*The number of electives may vary depending on the pathway chosen.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 192
Recommended study sequences
- Animal Ecology pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Biology pathway - Semester 2 (mid year) commencement
- Biomedical Science pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Chemistry pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Public and Environmental Health pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Environmental Science pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Health Promotion pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Nutrition pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Sports and Exercise Science pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Sustainability pathway - Semester 2 (mid-year) commencement
- Animal Ecology pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Biology pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Biomedical Science pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Chemistry pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Public and Environmental Health pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Environmental Science pathway - Semester 1
- Health Promotion pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Nutrition pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- Sports and Exercise Science pathway Study Plan - Semester 1 commencement
- Sustainability pathway - Semester 1 commencement
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 1 commencement (February)
- (Sippy Downs) Semester 2 commencement (July)
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 192 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded).
Program notes
- MTH103 and MTH104 assume you have successfully completed a Years 11-12 mathematics subject (or equivalent), and preferably at least Mathematics B. Should you wish to proceed to 200 or 300 coded mathematics courses, you would first need to successfully complete MTH103 and MTH104 to meet prerequisite requirements. MTH100 does not meet the prerequisite necessary to enrol in advanced level mathematics courses
- It is highly recommended that students consider enrolling in relevant enabling courses
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)and following the recommended study sequence
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- Refer to the 'Planning your study' page to manage your progression.
- You may wish to use electives to complete an additional major or minor
- Register your selected major(s) and/or minor(s)